MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked (1) whether lecturers under the National Insurance Act in Scotland have permission to issue and sell pamphlets purporting to explain the National Insurance Act; if so, do the Commissioners guarantee the correctness of any such pamphlet; and, if not, will they have the pamphlets in stock destroyed and further circulation by their employés stopped; and (2) whether the Secretary to the Treasury is aware that in certain cases recently individuals have asked the Scottish Insurance Commissioners by private letter for information on the National Insurance Act, and, after the official answer has been sent, a pamphlet containing inaccurate statements regarding the Act, and written by Mr. F. J. Robertson, one of the official lecturers, has been posted anonymously to the inquirer; and whether this has been done by order of the Commissioners, or whether there is leakage in their office with regard to private communications?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed that the gentleman in question, before commencing to give official lectures for the Scottish Insurance Commission, had written a pamphlet explanatory of the Act. I am not aware that this pamphlet contains inaccurate statements, but in any case it has not been issued by or under the authority of the Commissioners. The only literature for which the Commissioners are responsible is the series of leaflets and 1891 pamphlets which were circulated yesterday to Members of the House. I am not aware that there is any leakage in the office of the Scottish Commission with regard to private communications, but the Commission will investigate any specific cases which may be brought to their notice.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this pamphlet has been issued after private letters have been written to the Commissioners? How could the Commissioners possibly know?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot find any evidence of leakage of private communications in the Scottish Commission Department. If the Noble Lord will bring any case before me, I will have it examined.
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe issue of the Government leaflets? No. We want them issued as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I think not.